One day after school, as usual, Karin waited for Naya and Cila, her best friends, in front of their classroom so they could go home together. Oh, right—even though Karin had a lot of friends, she only had two close female friends at school: Naya and Cila. Their homes were near each other, so their friendship had simply grown from there.
While waiting for her two best friends, Karin saw Mada approach a girl from a different major than his and Karin's. The girl smiled, and Mada smiled back. Karin wondered to herself who the girl was and why she didn't know her.
That night, Karin decided to ask Mada. Sure enough, Karin's suspicion was correct: the girl Mada had met after school that afternoon was his new girlfriend, whom he had started dating a week ago. Karin was shocked and fell silent. She didn't reply to Mada's last message, which prompted him to call her. With a heavy heart, Karin rejected the call. Karin was confused about two things. First, Mada hadn't told her anything at all about the girl he liked. And second, how could Karin be hurt by her best friend? When had these feelings appeared? Why? She asked herself, but there was no answer.
The next morning, Karin went to school with a jumble of emotions. As soon as she arrived, she went straight to her seat and sat there in silence. Her deskmate, Ninda, was surprised because Karin was never usually gloomy in the morning.
"What's wrong with you?" Ninda asked.
"Huh? It's okay. I'm just not feeling well," Karin answered offhandedly.
"Want me to take you to the school infirmary?" Ninda offered.
"Don't bother. I can still handle it." Despite what she'd just said, Karin fell asleep with her head resting on her crossed arms atop the school desk.
She closed her eyes and remained silent.
What was happening to her? She had never felt anything like this before.
Before long, someone called out to her.
"Rin." It was Mada's voice, but Karin didn't move.
"Shh, she's sick," Ninda said, answering Mada.
The day passed with Karin remaining gloomy. Ninda was confused by her friend, even though Karin repeatedly said she was fine. Karin also ignored Mada all day.
When she got home, Karin finally opened her phone. At that moment, Mada called her, and Karin answered.
"Hello, peace be upon you," Karin said.
"And peace be upon you. Rin, what's wrong with you today?" Mada asked worriedly.
"Hehe, I'm not feeling well, but it's okay. I've already taken some medicine," Karin replied, lying.
They talked for a while before Karin decided to end the call, claiming she was sleepy because of the medicine, and Mada agreed.
"If you're still not feeling well tomorrow, don't go to school," Mada said before the call ended.
Karin decided to forget her feelings because she didn't want her friendship with Mada to end just like that.